davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
A BAPTISM OF FIRE.
FRIGHTFuL PREDicAMeNT OF AN EN-
GlNEER IN A BOILER.

Three Feet Of Flames Between Him and
Safety, which He Literally Crawls
Through-A Monster Wave Rushes at
Portland, Maine-Panic In Theatre
Caused by suicIds-Railway Terrors.
GLENDALE, Pa, Dec. 3l.-Hiram Collier,
an engineer at the Glendale iron works, had
a frightful experience and narrow escape
from a shocking death Friday. He had
crawled into one Of the boilers in his charge
for the purpose of cleaning it. taking with
him . can of crude petroleum. He placed
this can in the boiler near the open end, and
crept to the other end Of the boiler. While
he was examining the interior the oil in the
can was exploded by some mysterious cause,
and 1t caught fire That end Of the boiler
was at once filled with the flames of burning
OIL Engineer Collier crouched down in his
end of the boiler with his back to the
flames, supposing that he could hold
out against the heat and smoke
of the fire until the oil was all consumed
The heat became so intense and the smoke so
dense and suffocating, however, that Collier
saw that he must either escape from the
boiler at once or meet with terrible DEATH
The only way for him to escape was to crawl
through the fame and smoke between him
and the opening in the boiler. His progress
was necessarily slow, and his torture as be
passed three feet or mora of solid fire was
frightfuL He held his breath to prevent in
haling the flame. and closed his eyes to pro-
tect them from the fire, and reached the
open air. He had got but few feet from
the boiler when he fell unconscious. His
clothing was in flames, but the fire was
quickly extinguished. Golfers hair and
whiskers were burned to the roots, and his
face, hands, neck, and other parts OF his
body were terribly blistersd.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

At the First Baptist church Rev. Nor
ply will preach again in the morning
There will be no evening service. Sun,
day school at the usual hour.
At the First NJ. E. church, services at
1O;45 q. m. and p. m, conducted BY
Miss Anna Downey, young lady evan
gelist who will remain for some time and
assist the pastor in revival services.
At the Twentieth street Evangelical Lu-
theran church, the Rev. c. A, Mennicke,
pastor. New Year, 10 a. m. text: Rom.
xiii:11-14. Thema: die Neujahrsgedan.
kenglaeubiger Christen." At 2:2O D, m
understanding.
At the Central Presbyterian church,
Rev. A. B. Medium will preach tomor-
row at 1915 a. m. and Z p. m. Morning
subject: 1.-THE Wise Reckoning of Time
Evening subject: Critical Moments in
Life Sabbath school and bible class al
$50 q. m, W. Fl. Hatch, superintendent.
Y.P. q. Z. society at 6 p. m.
At the Broadway Presbyterian, Rev.
W. 5. Marquis, pastor, will preach al
l045 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Morning
theme: Yesterday, Today and Forev
er Sabbath school at $40 q. M, DR.. ]
W. Stewart, superintendent. Young
Peoples prayer meeting at $50 p. M
conservation meeting.
At the Christian church tomorrow, ser.
vices at 1890 a. m. and pm Preach.
ing by W. II. Applegate, of New Alba.
ny, Ind Subject for morning: Faith
Hope and Love- Evening: "Our Ref,
uge. Sunday school at 9:15 a. M, 81
II. Sears, superintendent. Mission Sun
day school at 2:30 p. m. in -Schoo
Building No. 8. Geo. J. NJ. Colburn, su.
perintendent- Young peoples meeting
at $50 p. m.
The young mems meeting at the Y. NJ
q. A. rooms at $3.50 p. m. tomorrow
Leader, Fl. Fl. Sears Subject: "Wha
the Word Says About Our Love fol
Christ"
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
THAT MlSCREANT HAlF-BREED
He Turns Out To Be a Wholesale Butcher
Fourteen Skeletons Found.

He Turns Out To Be Wholesale Butcher
Fourteen Skeletons Found.
PIERRE, D. T., Dec. Sl.-For months a de-
gree Of mystery has surrounded the move
ments of John LaBlant, a Sioux Indian half
breed, WHOSE ranch is at Willow creek, If
teen miles west of the city, near the old
Deadwood stage road, upon the Sioux res
ervation. LaBlants ranch was a stopping
place in the Back Hills for travellers during
the early days Many people who left Pierre
for the Hills were never heard from after
leaving the city. A few days ago LaBlant
was detected in stealing cattle and he left
for parts unknown.
Thursday thorough investigation Of the
premises was made, and in one bedroom OF
the house, in front of the bed, was observed
what appeared to be an opening or trap.
door. This was found to be hung on hinges,
so that it would drop when a cord was
pulled, the cord extending from bolt under
the door to a room occupied by La Blant. The
opening under the trap was twelve feet deep
and fourteen feet square. An examination
of the cavern revealed the skeletons OF
| twelve grown human beings, and two small
ores, supposed to be women or large sized
boys No clothing was found in the hole,
the only article Of any kind discovered being
| an iron bar about two feet in length, which
| it is supposed the fiend used to murder his
victims after he had dropped them down.
| AS the affair occurred on the Indian reserva
ton this county will not take any steps to SO
cure arrests, the reservation being outside Of
the county jurisdiction.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

There is something inexpressibly small
and mean about the republican OPPOSE
tion to Mr.. Lamar's confirmation as asso-
ciate justice of the supreme court Look
at the objections that are made
He is too old. they say and yet the
same men voted for Judge Blatchford at
Mr.. Lamsr's age when President Arthur
very properly nominated that distinguish
ed iurist.
Mr.. Lamar is mol practicine and ex-
peilenced lawyer, they say. yet there are
some senators who will oppose Mr.. La
mar who voted for Samuel P. Chase as
chief justice. Mr. Chase had done very
little law practice for twenty years pre-.
ceding his nomination.
Mr.. Lamar is opposed because he has
not declared that Jefferson Davis was and
still is traitor Yet there are republi
cans in the senate who sustained General
Grants nomination of Longstreet to high
office, and that too without regard to the
fact that the ex>confederate general, al
the time and since. has failed to stul,ify
himself in any such way Again, these
same republicans, with others, affiliate
with Riddleberger aud recognized Malone
both OF whom have persistently declined
to dishonor their younger manhood by
any such acknowledgment.
Again, it is asserted that Mr.. Lamar is
recalcitrant and unreconstructed Yet It
will be remembered that when Represen.
tstive l.. Q. c. Lamar of Mississippi. pro
nounced in the house of representatives
the finest, truest and most eloquent OF
euiogies upon the dead Charles Sumner
senator and abolitionist among the first
OF the republicans who hastened to ten,
der their thanks and congratulations were
Messrs. Hoar and Dawes of Massscbu.
setts. who. as senators, will doubtless re-
slst MI. Lsmar's confirmation to the
aupremecourt.
The fominee for judicial honors i.
charged BY republican newspapers with
being supporter of ku kluxism and q
defender of the more gross outrageou.
political outrsges which, under great pro.
vocation. have stained the credit of IN.
state. Yet it is matter of history thai
his re election to the senate was bitterl,
opposed by some of the fire eaters be
cause of his opposition to the regulators
crimes.
The republican outcry is scandal
Mr.. Lamar's nomination ia in every wa,
worthy one. He is able and compet-
ent, ssgacious and learned. and his pres,
ence on the supreme bench, which we be,
lieve to be assured, will not alone b.
creditable to the democratic administers
ton and party, but will in all WAYS b,
notional in charact err and results.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
THREATENED BY A WAVE.
A Huge Mass of Water Hurled by the
Wind at Portland, Me.

Wind at Portland, Me.
PORTLAND. Me-, Dec Silt is evident
that Portland escaped great danger during
the storm of Thursday night The gale
struck Portland head at $50 O'Clock, at a
time when in this harbor the wind seemed to
be dying out The wind blew fifty miles an
hour, the rain falling continuously About
10 o'clock Lighthouse keeper Strout and his
assistants saw a great wave far out Ap-
parently the monster wave came in the shape
of a pyramid. 1t struck first against the
outer line of rock, and a mass of water
lowered up even with the lighthouse itself.
Between the line Of rock extending for per-
haps 100 feet along the sea line and
the shore is an opening some forty feet deep,
and varying from ten to twenty feet in
length. This space was never filled with
water until Thursday night, when the giant
wave broke and filed it from above. Waves
of ordinary sizs and power breaking and
pressing behind added their strength to that
of the monster, and the entire mass was
hurled sixty feet above high-water mark
against the engine, boiler and fog horn house.
The force of the blow was such that the
building, built as strong as possible, was bent
twisted and shattered. Great iron stays were
snapped as though they had been pipe-stems,
and the receding wave carried with it every
thing on shore, including stones weighing
tons. When the wave was coming in it made
fearful roar, but when it struck the cliffs
it seemed as though it fairly smashed them
to peces
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
THOSE PACIFIC RAILWAYS.
Synopsis of the Two Reports Made by the
Investigators.

Synopsis of the Two Reports Made by the
Investigators.
NEW YORK, Dec. 3i.-The ma jority and
minority reports OF the Pacific railway COM
mission are published They agree with the
forecast, already published. The maj ,rity
report says it is certain that the Union
Pacific system can not pay IFS debt 10 the
United States at its maturity. IL is therefore
recommended that the debt be extended fifty
years, tue government taking full secur-
ity. 1t is learned by the investigation
that the assets of the Union Pacific
in former years were largely misapp!ie !,
thus inpairing its ability to meet its obliga
tions. The bill Submitted by the comms-
sioners, therefore includes a clause requiring
the company to make no oppos ton TO the
bringing of suits against any officer of the
company growing out of those criminal
transactions. Substantially the same pro
visions are to apply 10 the Central Pacific.
Commissioner Patteis ms minority report
objects to the extension Of time, and recon
.mends an immediate winding up Of the CON
panies, forfeiture of their charters, the ap
pontment OF a receiver for immediate set
Element Of the debt. The full history of thu
road is denounced as one Of fraud, and it il
declared that the government might bette
loss part of tine debt than continue presen
relations any longer
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
THE MARKETS


CHICAGO, Dec 80
On the board Of trade to-day the quotations
were as follows Wheat No ? January. opened
1880, closed fs7sc; February, opened 7sssc
closed ,9lsc. Nav. opened s5S.c closed s5ssc
Corn-No January. opened 49t4c, closed 4slsc:
February, opened i9@sc, closed 1850; May,
opened 5iasc cosed 5i5s-55c Oais-No. 4
January, opened sllec, closed s1ssc; May, opened
S4Iac, closed Sls4-5sc. Pork-January, opened
S15.05, closed SI5lO; February, opened and
closed $15e5 nominal; May, opened SIS 70
closed sls67lt Lard-January, opened STA
closed $7s2le
Live stockholm the Union Stock yards the
following prices were received: Hogs-sIarket
opened active and firm with prices 5@1Oc
higher; light grades, S. cog 5 80; rough packing,
S.. S015 IS; heavy packing and shipping lots
S.40G5s0 Cattle-Market dull, 101l5c lower;
beeves, Ss.0o@ so; cows. 81. 35G2s0; stockers
$2.s5Gs,s0. Sheep Market slow; common. Ss75
08.50; good to choice, 81. 25I5 IS; lambs, s45a
G5.75
Produce: Butter--Fancy creamery S0@slo
per ID; fancy dairy, 21Ga4c; roll, l6l1sc; pack
ing stock, IsGl5c. Eggs-Fresh, aoc per doz;
icehouse. 17Glsc; picked, l21l6e. Dressed
poultry-Chickens, 6,a07lsc per Id; turkeys SO
&c; ducks, 6Gsc; plucked geese live $4.oj per
doz Potatoes-70975c per bu; sweet potatoes,
$s5o04oo per Dbl Apple STAIR to choice,
$l.75@SOO per Dbl Cranberres- and cherry,
$3.50 per Dbl; bell and bugle, 500
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
LIVE STOCK BUSINESS AT CHICAGO.
Heavy Filling or in bog Receipts and
Prises lower Than Last Year.

AOhhy oh IN aVs AsoocApto ohN
Prices lower Than Last Year.
CHICAGO, Dec 3i.-The Drovers' Journals
annual review OF the Chicago live stock
trade says the receipts Of cattle, calves,
sheep and horses were the heaviest on record
Compared with 1886, the increases were as
follows: Cattle, ala, 900; calves, 10 200; sheep,
254, co., and horses 1900. The receipts of
hogs showed decrease of l, $50, 900 The
total receipts were as follows: Cattle, 2, STS
900; calves, 10 500; hogs, 5, 49, 900, and sheep
&c., $50
Prices for cattle averaged so and Soc per
cwt. lower; for h,gs. 81 higher; for sheep.
about 25c lower The total receipts of Texas
and Indian cattle were 4S5, 800, an increase
over 1886 of ia, $50. In addition fully
10000 Texas calves were received. The re-
ceipts of western range cattle, were " :, 2I5,
an increase over 1886 of 81 ,000, and the
largest on record. The prices of Texas and
western range cattle were DO and 75c per
cwt lower than in 1886 The highest prices
were as follows: Fancy cattle $50; best
hogs, 81. IN; best sheep, $500 Good cat
tie sold lowest in June and July; hogs, in
October and sheen in August
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

Coal has been selling d Los Angeles.
Cal, for $40 Z ton,
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
coRsIN's CIRCULAR TO MINERS.
Lie Calls Their Attention to q Contract
They Have Signed.

They Have Signed.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec 3l.-President Cor.
bin, of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal
to the miners in the Schuylkill region in
which he says: ave want you to under.
stand the company's position. On the first
day Of September last a committee repre-
senting you made a request for an increase
Of wages. At that time the company paid
Its miners more than any other company
paid its miners in the anthracite coal trade,
taking into account the very
large proportion of percentage over
the $3.50 basis that you received
from the Reading as against the smaller
percentage received by miners from other
companies. Approaching thoroughly the
importance Of having all our miners friendly
to US, and to have them believe that we were
at all times not only willing, but anxious to
treat them generously, we conceded your de-
mand in so far as this: That we would in
crease the basis for four months, with an
agreement that II there was no change in the
meantime on the part Of other operators, and
an increase of wages by them, you would re.
turn to the old basis.
"A strike in our mines would simply mean
an increase Of the price of coal at other
mines large profits to the other companies
and their miners, great loss to the Reading
company and a comparatively greater loss te
you.
9But there IS still another side to this cas-
which we wish to present to you. That con
tract made in Septsmbs was very fair one
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

In the pursuit Of the good things of
: his world we anticipate too much, we
eat out the heart and sweetness of world.
ly pleasures by delightful forethought of
them. The results obtained from the use
Of DR.. Jones Red Clover Tonic far exceed
all claims. 1t cures dyspepsia, and all
stomach, liver, kidney and bladder
troubles. 1t is q perfect tonic, appetizer,
blood purifier, sure cure for ague and
mslsrial diseases. Price, so. cents, Of
druggists.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Dec. 31-A land
slide on the Alabama Great Southern rail-
road near Livingstone, Ala, caused a serious
accident Thursday morning. The limited
express-the fastest train in the south-ran
into rocks and earth which had fallen on the
track and two passenger coaches were thrown
from the track and upset. Sixteen persons
were injured, some of them badly. freight
train was also caught by the slide and some
ears damolished
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

CHICAGO. Dec 81. The impression has got
abroad among the prominent Democrats of
this city that President Cleveland is likely to
cook Chicago's convention goose so far az
the Democratic national convention is con-
earned. 1t seems that Mr.. Cleveland and
his friends favor holding the convention
in New York, and there is strong belief
that the eastern metropolis will be selected
Those who have spoken on the matter in this
city were evidently rather of the opinion
that if Chicago has both conventions she will
be in great luck
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
Diving Year Assignments.

DULUTH, MINI, Dec 81 N o. Nelson, a
prominent merchant and real estate dealer OF
Two Harbors, Mimi, has assigned. Liabili-
ties between $50, 900 and $50, 600; assets about
the same.
Boston, Dec 81. H Porter Smith & Co.,
woolens, assigned Friday. Liabilities est.
mated at 81, 900.
NEW YORK, Dec 3l.-Alexander F. Reid,
dealer in twines, assigned Friday, with
preferences for $4,000. He had been in bus
ipass saVuntaaO WARS
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

Subscribe for the DAILY ARGUS
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

NEW YORK, Dec. 3i.-Tbe years return
of failures reported to R, G. Dun & Co., the
mercantile agency. shows a decrease of 200
in number for the year, but the large in
crease of SIS, 900, 900 in liabilities as follows:
lSSI-number, 9 634; liabilities, $l67, $50, ai4;
average, ST., S9s. lsSS-number, 8, S}4; liza
bilities, STA, GA, ll9; average. 1861.
The returns for the Dominion of Canada
show $50 failures, 81, 81, us liabilities; av-
erage, 81 sos The failures in the Dominion
were one in every fifty-four persons in bust
ness; in the United States they averaged one
in every l.! persons.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
IA MANI

uNAcouANTED
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

A Wonderful Food Medicine

Known and used by physicians all over
the world. SCOTS Emulsion not only
gives flesh and strength by virtue of its
own nutritious properties, but creates an
appetite. for food that builds up the
wasted body. Il have been using SCOTS
Emulsion for several years. and am
pleased With its action. My patients say
that it is pleasant and palatable, and all
grow stronger and gain flesh from the use
of it. use it in all cases of wasting
diseases, and it is specially useful for
children when nutriment medication is
needed. as in Marasmus IT. W PIERCE
NJ. d., Knoxville. Ala.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

For SALE BY THE FOLLOWING DBUGeIsTs
Marshall & Fisher.
Hartz & Bahnsen,
and Frank Nader
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

CHICAGO, Dec Sl.-Col John A. McCaull,
the opera manager, who Is confined to his
room at the Leland hotel by a broken leg,
had close struggle with death Friday
afternoon. 1t was not his broken leg that SO
nearly caused his death, though that useful
member is badly swollen and inflamed, but
an overdose OF bromide of potassium admin
tered to ease his pain. The bromide was ad.
ministsred by his nurses, who did not under.
stand the physicians directions. By vigor-
Gus efforts the colonel's life was saved, but
he Is very weak from the effects of the poi.
SON
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
IonN w. POTTER.
THE development of the telegraph sys-

THE development of the telegraph sys-
TEN in this country is one of the marvels
of modern civilization. From q mere
experiment on a single wire between
Washington and Baltimore in 1874. with
10 the memory of many persons yet llv>
ing. it has grown to be one OF the gov
erning forces in our philosophy of mates
rial and social progress The Western
Union company alone now has $4,000
miles of wires, and the messages which it
handled during the year ending June 80,
1887, reached total of 1884, $50.
These figures indicate at glance the
practical value of the invention. and the
close relation which it bears to the daily
affairs of life IN every direction.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

NEW YORK, Dec 3i.-R X, Fox received
a cablegram Friday from W. E Harding
that there is no possibility of arranging a
match between Sullivan and Kilrain, as Sui
livan will not listen to the overtures Of Mr..
Fox's representative unless odds Of 500 to
5000 are given on Kilrain. Mr.. Fox says
that If Kilrain accspts these terms he will
back him. but not to fight in England.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31
TOM BROWNIES TARIFF BILL.
He VIII Try to Get 1t in Ahead of the
Democratic Measure,

Democratic Measure.
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec 3l.-Representa-
tive Browne, of Indiana, who was a member
of the ways and means committee last con-
gress and will again be assigned to that COM
mittee, is preparing a tariff bill which he
proposes to submit to his colleagues on the
Republican side for their approval, as SUBJ
stitute for any bill the Democrats may bring
in. He thinks that there Is chance of the
Democrats bringing into the house tariff
bill of such character that the Republicans
could not afford to vote against it, and then
whatever credit accrued from the measure
would go tn the Democrats He proposes
that the Republicans shall have bill of
their own, and then if the Democrats adopt
one of the same sort, the Republicans can
claim that they first made the suggestion.
His bill is not quite ready yet, but he ex-
poets to complete it in time to submit it to
his party friends and get it to the ways and
means committee before they have time to
report bill In character it will not differ
widely from what is liable to be adopted by
the Democrats as compromise 1t will pro-
pose the repeal of the tobacco tax, and of
the entire duty on sugar, salt and lumber.
1t will reduce the duty on some grades of
wool, or probably place the coarser grades of
wool on the free list. The aim will be to
take the tax off articles entering into every
day consumption, as far as possible, without
disturbing needed" protection.
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

ST. PETERSBURG, Pa. Dec SI.-A mixed
train on the Pittsburg & Western railroad
dropped off thirty foot trestle near this
place Friday night. The wreck took fire
from car stove and was consumed. The
following passengers were badly injured
Joseph Hullings, Edenburg; John Atkinson
Parker; D. Hillyard, Edenburg; A. Kiser,
Elk City; W Ham, St Petersburg, and D.
Whita Enrtmrp
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

ALTOONA, Pa, Dec SL-Friday about
ten miles from Bellwood on the Clearfield
and Jefferson railroad, the last car of the
eastern express, containing twenty pas
ssngers, went off the track at broken rail
and down a l00-foot embankment, turning
four times in its descent No one was seri-
ously injured except John Keller, who is not
axnacted tn live
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

ROME, Dec 3l.-The jubilee festivities are
now at their height. These, combined with
celebrations and ceremonies of Christmas and
New Years, have filed the city to overflow
ing with visitors from every part of the
world. The clergy are conspicuous feature
Thursday 800 archbishops, bishops, patri-
archs and other prslstes of high rank at
tended reception given by Pope Leo
Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-31

MTNNEAPoLIs,, Mimi, Dec Sl-Reports
received here from Iowa, Minnesota, and
Dakota say a heavy snowstorm ragged all
Friday. The greater part of the time a
southeasterly gale has blowing, and railway
communication is almost at a standstill.
But few passenger trains are moving and no
freightsL Many trains are stuck in snow
drifts The weather is moderate.